Sixth Sunday after Epiphany: Thursday, February 16, 2006

Old Testament Lesson

Genesis 32:3-21

Jacob today follows in the footsteps of his grandfather Abraham. God told Abraham to go to a land that He would show him, and he did. Today, Jacob does something to me that is even more brave, and takes more faith. God told him to go back to the land, and he would meet Esau. Now, he had done Esau wrong several times, and had stolen his blessing and birthright from him. Esau had every reason to kill Jacob. Jacob knew this; and he went any way. It is one thing to step out on faith, not knowing what the result would be, but not necessarily fearing danger. Today, Jacob stepped out on faith, and he feared that he and his family may have been killed. Why did he do this Because God told him to. So, he stepped out on faith. That takes faith. He trusted God more than he was afraid. Today, what is greater? Our fear or our faith? Out Faith must be bigger, because we have faith in a great God. Today, may your faith out weight your fear.

New Testament Lesson

1 John 2:18-29

Today John writes about antichrists, those that work against the spirit of Christ. There are false shepherds, there are those that will seek to lead God's sheep astray. That is why it is so important for us to know the voice of God so that we can follow when He speaks. A sheep will not follow any voice but the true shepherds. So should it be for us. So many voices try to crowd in, voices of sin, voices of pride, voices of power. We must learn to listen for the true shepherd. For their will be what John calls today antichrists that will try to lead God's people astray with false teaching. Can you distinguish between what is of God and what is not? Do you know the bible well enough to tell? We must take time to listen to God through scripture, through prayer, through the means of grace that we can distinguish between the true shepherd and these false ones. There are false shepherds seeking to destroy God's people. Make sure you know His voice so you will not be lead astray.

Gospel Lesson

John 10:19-30

Just like yesterday, the texts all fit so well together. The reason why Jacob stepped out on faith was that he knew the voice of the good shepherd. In 1 John, Johns warns the people to be on the look out for those antichrists that would come and listen for God's voice. Today, Jesus tells us that He is the good shepherd. So, for us to listen, for us to know the good shepherd, we must know Jesus. In Him, we have now, and in the age to come. Are you walking daily with Him? Are you spending time seeking to meet Him through the power of the Holy Spirit in prayer, in the Word, through service to others, through devotion to God? Are you listening for the voice of our Shepherd? He calls His sheep. Are you listening?